an impromptu celebration was held, appropriately enough at the space needle, a seattle high point. >> ever think you'd see this day? >> certainly not. >> kind of glad it's here now. >> reporter: the air was filled with the scent of victory. for those who campaigned for this night. although that itself is stretching the new law. it is not legal to use marijuana in public, just like alcohol. and while it is now legal for those 21 and over to buy marijuana, it is not yet legal to sell it. the state still has to write rules for licensing marijuana retailers. >> this is the beginning. >> reporter: washington voters passed the law, partly because of the efforts of one well- traveled resident of the state. >> hi, i'm rick steves. >> reporter: rick steves, who for 20 years has hosted his popular public television show, was among those prominent campaigning for legal marijuana. >> i spent a third of my adult life in europe, hanging out with people who think it's whacky to be locking up people for smoking pot. >> reporter: seattle's attorney also pushed for the law. >> all we've done by prohibi